"Hail, Our Alma Mater..."
Wednesday late afternoon (after our Jeopardy! class for Introduction to Arts and Sciences) Jenny CD and Linda I arrived from the airport and from Cleveland, respectively. After dropping off Jenny's luggage, we headed to Victor's new restaurant, where we enjoyed 2 lamb dishes, a shrimp dish, a salmon dish, and a vegetarian dish with Amanda MS and Charles. It was great to see everyone again, and to have a photo....
We all stood outside, Jenny and I in thin sweaters as the temperatures had dipped from the 60s Fahrenheit to the 40s to 50s as the sun went down. Jenny drove Linda and I back to my parking lot, where we bid Linda a fond goodbye and safe trip. Jenny and I tucked into our respective beds by 23.30, and I awoke about 6.30 Thursday.
Thursday Jenny and I visited St. Paul Cathedral and my workplace. We walked to get eggs over easy, Lyonnaise potatoes, bacon, and wheat toast as well as croissant French toast (and coffee for Jenny). We then headed to the Cathedral of Learning, touring the higher floors before the lower floors of Nationality Rooms first. We then toured the Frick Arts Building (the library, the Jello courtyard exhibit, and the U Pitt Museum Studies Class's exhibit SLAG: What's left after industry?), and the Carnegie Library and Institute. As we left the Carnegie, we opened the door for Marissa and Solomon, and Beatrice and Les.
After loading Jenny's bag into the car, we departed; I for work and she for lunch with her husband's former intern.
Labels: art, Beatrice, biology, Carnegie, dining, international culture, library, Marietta, mountains, organ, organizing, painting, photos, Pittsburgh, reunion, school, sleep, St. Paul Cathedral, work
Up at 2 II
I've been up for half an hour, since 2.00...I've been playing with my messages, renewing library books, checking email, etc. I will look at the manual for my new phone...need to figure out messaging.
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7.00
I did a load of laundry, showered, figured out some of my cell phone questions, called my carrier to get more clued-in about messaging. Got more organized.
Labels: email, library, organizing, sleep
Up at 2
I arose at 2 today. I went to sleep at 19.00 last night, woke up at ~21.30 and watched fireworks on television. I had a late-night snack and fell asleep about midnight.
I've been surfing the Internet since then, and answering email messages. Playing with my new phone.
~~~
I fell asleep @ 6 and awoke at 9. We waited for Kelly, who was to stop by on her way home from vacation. I ended up going with Karina to the craft store in the Waterfront, then to Giant Eagle (Big Bird, as I am wont to call this store). I worked on an organizing project, and on my address list of my friends. Liz gave me her phone numbers, and Kim and I gelled plans for later in the month.
Labels: art, celebration, computer, email, jewelry, organizing, phone, shopping, sleep
Early Morning I, June 2010; Yoga June 2010
I awoke ~ an hour ago, early for me on a Saturday morning. Am organizing the papers I photocopied yesterday night.
I'm planning on going out with the girls tonight for dinner. It will be fun, but we'll miss Maureen, who is visiting family.
~~~
13.00
Karina and I went to yoga in Squirrel Hill, after she repaired a necklace's jump ring connection for me. We had yoga class for a little less than two hours, explored Squirrel Hill a bit, then are both at our respective homes to cool off from the muggy, hot morning.
Labels: dining, exercise, friends, jewelry, organizing, seasons, sleep, travel, weather
With Mom for Lunch, May 2010
I met up with Mom for lunch yesterday and we took care of some administrative stuff, as well.
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SPRING CLEANING!! Cleaned out and organized most of a closet this morning---will recycle some blazers, summer blazers, summer blouses, etc.
Time for a little something for breakfast....
Labels: adventure, cleaning, dine, organizing, recycle, seasons
Mother's Day, 2010; Toy Lending Library
Sunday, Mom & Dad, Les & Chere, and William's family went for Chinese food in Fox Chapel for Mother's Day.
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Yesterday Beata and I had lunch at Panera's whilst Marissa and Wawa were at the toy lending library. We joined them late in the game, but not after saying hi to a group of senior citizens and to Richard, who I explained to Beata helps to keep my building nice.
Maureen and I went to get her a new battery for her watch yesterday afternoon.
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Today I spent the morning neatening up my living room.
Labels: cleaning, dining, family-Marissa, niece and nephew, organizing
Organizing Work Files, Flamenco, and Fiesta Filipina
This morning I awoke late, ran an errand for PAMS, organized my work files, and will have lunch with Mom and Dad, and go to the grocery store. Mid-afternoon Susan will pick me up for some flamenco fun, then this evening I will join Mom and Dad for Fiesta Filipina, a Canadian-based group which presents cultural music, singing, and dance as a benefit concert for the Philippine Nationality Room project.
Labels: cleaning, dance, dancing, dine, international culture, music, organizing, Pilipino culture, PNR, shopping, singing, sleep
end of Week One, Summer Break 2010
Wednesday Mom and I went to an office to take care of administrative issues. Then Dad, Mom, and I had lunch at the Japanese seafood buffet on the way to Homestead.
Thursday, Marissa and her children and I went to the playground at the park. We then met William at the computer store and dined on Italian food on Bellefonte Street. It was delicious, and the waiter commented that we were the first group to sing "Happy Birthday" to the restaurant. We enjoyed two flavors of birthday cake and favors.
Today I mailed a ballot to New York---it will arrive with plenty of time for the counting.
I need to take care of more administrative tasks before the weekend starts: Something with the office on campus, faxing items downtown, and getting Maureen a plant for her sister.
Labels: Birthday, citizenship, dining, flowers, friends, games, organizing, Philippines
Fainting Goats
I took care of various administrative tasks and communications today. I plan to go for a walk with Maureen later. I still am froggy girl, with a case of laryngitis.
~~~
What's with the fainting goats? Click on the link to find out!
Labels: animals, health, organizing, walking, writing
Pittsburgh Marathon, Pitt's Graduation, Pens Game, and Mass
The Pittsburgh Marathon is being run as I type. The University of Pittsburgh's graduation is today. The Penguins play at Mellon arena early this afternoon. And getting around the city by motorized vehicle will be a challenge today.
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I saw the runners turning east onto Fifth Avenue from Craig Street this morning before Mass.
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11.15am
I lectored in place of Betty at the last Mass. She has problems navigating all the obstacles today. So Carol and Fr. Bill D. helped me to get organized for the Sunday Mass. The major difference is carrying in the book of the Gospels, as well as stepping down for the cantor to sing the psalm, and putting away the lectionary and step before the Gospel reading. Also, there is no announcing the hymns, as during the weekday Mass.
Fr. Bill celebrated the Mass; Rachel, PJ, and Steve served, Linda O. cantored; Ken was the organist; and Donna S. and Carmella and Bob were among the Eucharistic Ministers. Mom and Dad attended the Mass, I also saw Sarah from choir there. I saw Jim L. and Dan before Mass as usher and greeter, respectively.
I chatted with Linda after Mass about vocal health (pending my incipient laryngitis) and the seminar two Thursdays ago, then Mom and I chatted with Gloria and Steve about building issues.
~~~
Labels: Mass, organizing, school, sports, St. Paul Cathedral, voice, walking, work
The Newman Institute, First Visit, March 2010
While teaching yesterday, my supervisor C and another visitor toured the lab space.
Yesterday afternoon after work I took a nice nap, then had dinner and headed to the Newman Institute for the third in a lecture/discussion series on Newman's Apologia. A very interesting talk and facilitated discussion by Damon, a local Newman scholar.
Today after work I had spaghetti for lunch, and took an hour-long nap, picked up my mail, and generally had a slow afternoon. I started to organize my clothes more, and got a phone call from William about getting ice cream, the Miss Teen USA questions for contestants, and questions about qualifications for foreign policy for a former US VP candidate (Wow!)
I need to clean house a little bit every day...I'll get back to that shortly.
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21.50
I emptied my dishwasher, loaded my dirty dishes in it, weeded and organized my closet a bit, and went to Bible/Sunday Gospel study with Father Bill tonight. I went to Maureen's home to help her by grading ~ fifteen student quizzes. It was fun to have Hot cocoa afterwards.
Labels: biology, chocolate, cleaning, dine, Faith, ice cream, organizing, politics, sleep, teaching, work
This Weekend, March 2010
Saturday I awoke early to work on a student reference letter. I cleaned my living room a bit and in the afternoon weeded out part of my closet. I took a nap, as well.
Sunday I awoke early, prepped for work this week, took a nap, then headed to St. Paul Cathedral to check out the process for distributing Volunteer Registration Forms. Went to choir practice, and after Mass I handed out some volunteer registration forms, a goodly number to students, as well.
Nancy C. and I had a great conversation over smoothies and a noodle/won ton dish (with noodles flown in from San Francisco!), got cookies and snacks (at the Indian store), and sat in my garden to discuss.
I walked Nancy to her car, went home, took a nap, and then spoke with Maureen, napped some more, then went with Christina and Karina to Jen P's party at her home in Friendship. Her landlords were pleasant, lovely people. She had prepared at least four carrot cakes (with obvious orange flavor) for her 28th birthday party. The Newman Crowd was there, and Father Mike was even there.
Labels: Birthday, cleaning, dining, Faith, organizing, sleep, St. Paul Cathedral, student, volunteering, weather, work
Spring Forward (Ahead of Time)
I awoke about an hour ago to work on personal paperwork on the computer.
Yesterday after lunch dropped the car off for inspection, repairs, etc. New brakes, brake sensors, windshield washer pump, and lightbulbs for the dashboard were done. Then I picked up the car at about 16.00, picking up William from work for a late lunch/early dinner. We drove to the fish fry uptown next to the Civic Arena (soon to be gone for a newer arena). We enjoyed a fish dinner and mac & cheese, and he brought an order of pierogies for Marissa and the children.
I dropped him off at home, proceeded to TJ's for groceries, then went home to change before heading off to the symphony with Maureen and Karina (meeting Nancy there). We were all in good spirits, and the program was
Classic Tales
Gianandrea Noseda, conductor
Benjamin Hochman, piano
The PSO played
G. Rossini La Cenerentola, Overture
W. A. Mozart Concerto No. 19 in F Major for Piano and Orchestra, K. 459
(with Mr. Hochman)
~Intermission~
P.I. Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 3 in D major, Op. 29 "Polish"
Mr. Noseda literally danced when conducting: Predominantly lyrical dancing, with some "popping"-type moves occasionally. He was a joy to watch.
Mr. Hochman was light and delightful with the Mozart piece. A standing ovation ensued, and he played a solo encore. Andres Cardenes joined the PSO for the last piece, Tchaikovsky's only symphony written in a major key.
We all retired to the Greek restaurant across from the Renaissance Hotel and Byham. Nancy and I each enjoyed a plate of Greek food and salad, my main dish being the phyllo-enrobed lamb, exohito. Maureen and Karina both enjoyed desserts.
~~~
About the heading on this post:
Yesterday I set my clocks in my bedroom ahead, so that I can practice "Spring Forward" daylight savings time a day ahead. Thus, "springing forwards ahead." That does not, of course, preclude the fact that I'm slightly tired right now....
Labels: automobile, dining, fish fry, international culture, music, organizing, Pittsburgh, PSO, repair, shopping
Findings
Just found another item I had thought was lost. A nice gift from a friend. A little worse for the wear, it is, but O Well, what can I do about it? Dwelling on it can only drive me crazy (er).
So, in finding things that I've lost, I see that:
Things are not always found where I expect them to be. At all.
The message from the universe has been to get my personal life more organized/neater. (I told my friends this earlier this week.)
I guess I just have to keep neatening up /straightening up / redding up until I find everything that's misplaced /displaced.
Labels: art, career, cleaning, gift, honor, jewelry, list, love, mystery, niece and nephew, organizing, patient, philosophical, photos, safety
Spring Break 2010 III
Afternoon yesterday, cleaned and organized my files. Went for a walk yesterday late afternoon with Maureen. We ended up heading toward the pan-Asian restaurant in Oakland, and ran into Dan from choir on the way there. Chatted with him for a while, and ran into Freddie at the restaurant, where we got General Tso's chicken with a pot of green tea. Mmm. Nothing is better for the soul and the coughy throat on a cool-tending-to-cold March night.
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3.37
Just finished deleting files to reduce my file space by more than half in my work email account. I am so happy! I'm now down to 13.0% of total disk space possible/potential. Yay!
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5.20
I'm consolidating my work and school files---tossing excess waste, recycling paper...Now I'm getting tired and less effective. Time to rest.
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6.33
Never took a break: Am doing laundry. Need to move to the dryers in a few minutes.
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19.00
Ran errands in the AM---walked to retrieve my prophylactic antibiotics for my teeth cleaning later this week.
Had lunch at the sushi buffet with mom and dad. Purchased computer storage supplies at the office supply store, then headed to the visitation of our neighbor, Rita. It was good to see her extension into the community and to talk to her family.
I worked on some paperwork, then did some computer work.
It will be good to rest tonight.
Labels: Choir, cleaning, dining, email, farewell, friends, health, laundry, organizing, school, seasons, walking, weather, work
So Tired...
I went to sleep before nine thirty last night, I was so tired. I've been up for two hours now, working on cleaning my home, organizing files, and computer work such as my CVs. Time to go to sleep now. So tired...
(Maybe after I check my email.)
Labels: cleaning, computer, email, organizing, sleep
I'm Awake Again
Awake again and organizing my space.
Finding all sorts of stuff again...that was put away and misplaced for a while.
Still am looking for my photographic slides that have been misplaced. Some I have already made into 8 x 10" photos for friends and family...others are just plumb missing. Also for a nice gift from a friend this past year. Just am praying for intercession on this matter. (Hey, it's worked in the past!)
Labels: friends, gift, organizing, photography, photos, prayer, St. Anthony
Sleepy Girl
Yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon I was sleepy girl after lunchtime. I took a three-hour nap and went to bed by 21.00. Now I sit awake, answering and forwarding emails and writing this web log. Sometimes I wonder if I have a touch of SAD.
I should organize my photos and CDs....mail out Christmas cards...prepare for the holiday parties I'm attending and co-hostessing...Figure out what medical appointments I need to make before the end of the year...and on and on.
Labels: celebration, health, organizing, seasons, sleep
Physical Therapy, Continued II; Monday Sundaes III, Bible Study
Went to physical therapy this morning, and added exercises for my knees--using what I call the "clock" machine. Keelan also mentioned leg squats, wall squats, and straightening the knee for knee strengthening.
Went home and cleaned up @ Mom & Dad's, took a nap, then went with Rachel to Squirrel Hill for Monday sundaes. I had a mango sorbet with a strawberry. Then walked about, window shopping and stopped in the library.
We then went to Bible Study, where we read James 4:11-12 and discussed it. I mentioned that "God gives us a daily Sabbath, during which we can quietly use the intellects He gave us to make a 'To Do' list. And then we carry out the list, one by one, step-by-step, without worry or being anxious about anything."
Rachel and I went for gyros for dinner, with some hot peppers. They were tasty and delicious.
Labels: BAD, cleaning, dining, exercise, Faith, ice cream, list, organizing
Half (my stuff) Home
This afternoon I loaded my bags with my clean & other laundry, my books and magazines, my mail, my music CDs, my treatment folders, my paraphernalia for dressing, my toiletries and sundry other items into a cart and Dad helped me transport it to my home and to my sofa. I stayed behind to organize it for a while.
One of tonight's dishes will be cheeseburger macaroni, which I prepared.
We have yet to move my commode chair, shower chair, crutches and cane, and a few small items. That will wait until after dinner. I am "going to roost" as my neighbor indicated, at my home again.
Labels: dining, family, health, home, laundry, moving, music, neighbors, organizing, walking
